Collapsible hood assembly



July 14, 1970 E. BOWEN COLLAPSIBLE HOOD ASSEMBLY u mw m 5 my Filed June24, 1968 July 14, i970 L. E. BOWEN 3,520,115

COLLAPSIBLE HOOD ASSEMBLY Filed June 24, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.../.0/V/V/E E. BOWEN gM mzw July 14, 1970 1.. E. BOWEN COLLAPSIBLE noonASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed June 24, 1968 INVENTOR. ZO/V/V/E E.flame/v BYZ 2 United States Patent 3,520,115 COLLAPSIBLE HOOD ASSEMBLYLonnie E. Bowen, Bridgeton, Mo., assignor to American Air Filter CompanyInc., Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 24, 1968,Ser. No. 739,466 Int. Cl. B01d 46/42 US. Cl. 55-422 3 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A hood assembly including a frame member with aperturedpanel means hingedly connected to the frame to be extended outwardlyfrom the frame to receive a stream of air through the apertures and tobe folded into the frame in collapsed relation. Side panel means arehingedly connected to the frame to be folded to the frame in closedposition and opened to extend outwardly from the frame in contact withthe sides of the first panel means and seal panel means are provided tosupport the first panel means at an angle relative to the frame in gasreceiving position and to prevent flow of air around the first panelmeans. Gas permeable liquid de-entrainment pads can be provided to coverthe apertures to remove liquid droplets entrained in the gas stream.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is frequently desirable to provide hoodmeans to re move entrained liquid droplets from an air stream emittedfrom a selected work area, for example from a cooking surface where theair stream carries entrained grease and/or water from a paint spray areawhere the air stream carries entrained solvent droplets. Such meansaregenerally connected to evacuation ducts to carry the air stream to aselected emission site. In many such applications it is desirable toseparate the entrained liquid droplets before the air stream enters theduct because the liquid is flammable and fires can result ininaccessible portions of the cooperative duct work or the liquid may begreasy and result in buildup of dirt and particulate matter to restrictpassage through the duct system.

In some previous hood assemblies the de-entrainment pads have beendisposed at an angle relative to the horizontal so the liquid separatedon the pad is collected at a low point in the pad to keep most of thepad clear of excess liquid so the pressure drop experienced by the gasstream flowing through the pad is not excessive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes that in manyapplications, for example portable kitchens which are periodically movedfrom location to location, space is at a premium and it is desirable toprovide a collapsible hood assembly to receive an air stream carryingentrained liquid droplets.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an economical,straightforward, hood assembly which can be collapsed to a compactpackage to increase available space when the hood is not in use and canbe easily opened to receive an air stream. Furthermore, the hoodassembly can, advantageously, include means for removal of liquiddroplets carried by the gas stream.

3,520,115 Patented July 14, 1970 "Ice It has likewise been recognizedthat the hood arrange ment provided by the present invention can beeasily opened for cleaning and replacement of the de-entrainment padscan be accomplished with a minimum of effort.

Various other features of the present invention will become ObVlOUS tothose skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forthhereinafter.

More particularly, the present invention provides an air receiving hoodassembly having peripheral frame means; first apertured panel meanshingedly joined along an edge of the frame means to extend outwardlyfrom the frame means to receive an air stream and to be folded into theframe means in collapsed relation; side panel means hingedly connectedto the edge of the peripheral frame means to be folded to the framemeans and be opened outwardly away from the frame means to contact thefirst panel means to restrict flow of gas around the first panel means;seal panel means to be releasably connected to the first panel means tosupport the first panel means is gas receiving relation at an acuteangle relative to the frame means and restrict flow of gas around thefirst panel means.

Gas permeable liquid separating de-entrainment pads can be provided tocover the apertures of the first panel means.

It is to be understood that examples of the present invention givenhereinafter are not by way of limitation and that various changes can bemade in the arrangement, form, or configuration of the illustrativeexamples without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentinvention.

Referring now to the figures which show one example of apparatus inaccordance with the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a view of an arrangement in accordance with the presentinvention which provides two apertured liquid de-entrainment panels;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the panelmembers in separated relations;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the hoodassembly in folded, compact configuration;

FIG. 4 is a view of an arrangement in accordance with the presentinvention which provides one apertured panel with gas permeablede-entrainment pads covering the aperture;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing thede-entrainment panel means folded into the frame member; and,

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the apparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5 showing thehood assembly in folded compact configuration.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the relationship of the panel members of oneexample of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention havingtwo apertured panels 2 connected to a peripheral frame 1.

The hood assembly shown in FIGS. l-3 is normally disposed to draw gasinto the duct system from a selected area and frame member 1 can beadapted to be received in communicative relation by a duct assembly 3 sogases are drawn through aperture 4 of panel members 2 to be conducted toa selected remote location.

As shown in the example of the figures, the panels are connected toframe 1 by means of hinges 6 which provide means for panels 2 to bepivoted from a position extending outwardly from frame 1, as shown inFIG. 2 to a generally horizontal, folded position within frame 1 asshown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that panels 2 can be cooperativelysized so that both panels can be folded into frame 1 in generally planarconfiguration.

Gas permeable liquid de-entrainment pads can be provided to coverapertures 4 for removal of liquid droplets carried by the air streamfiowing through apertures 4. The composition of the liquid may vary fordifferent applications, for example when the hood assembly is disposednear a stove where food is prepared the liquid may include water andgrease whereas in industrial applications various liquid solvents may beseparated from the air stream. The de-entrainment media pads 5 are,advantageously, gas permeable and, for example, can be wire mesh, glassfiber, or other suitable materials depending on the application. Thepads can be supported by frame means adapted to be received by retainingmeans, for example cooperative locks provided by panels 2.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, side panels7 are connected to frame 1 by means of hinges 8 and can be extendedoutwardly from frame 1 in contact with panels 2 to provide a sealingmeans for the sides of panels 2 as shown in FIG. 1 to prevent flow ofgas around panels 2. Seal edges, not shown can be provided on the innersurfaces of the panels 7 to facilitate restriction of air flow. Hinges 8permit panels 7 to be folded outwardly from frame 1 as shown in FIGS. 1and 2 to be folded to a position against frame 1 when the hood assemblyis collapsed, as shown in FIG. 3.

Sealing panel 9 is provided to be fastened to both panels 2 to disposethe panels in open relation as shown in FIG. 1. In the example of thefigures panel 9 is V-shaped to dispose panels at a selected anglerelative to frame 1 and it will be noted that the relative position ofthe panels is determined by the length and configuration of panel 9.Furthermore, panel 9 prevents flow of air between the panels 2 so allgas is admitted to the hood assembly through apertures 4.

In the example of the figures, sealing panel 9 is connected to one ofthe panels 2 by means of hinges and fastener means, for example screws11 can be provided on sealing panel 9 to engage cooperative topped holes11a of the opposite panel 2. When the hood assembly is collapsed asshown in FIG. 3' panel 9 is folded to a position on top of the panel 2and is received by frame 1.

The hood is folded as illustrated sequentially by FIGS. 1-3 when thescrews 11 are disengaged from topped holes 11a of panel 2. To collapsethe hood, panel 9 is folded inwardly to a position on top of panel 2, towhich it is hinged, and panels 2 are then folded into frame 1 where lockmeans, not shown, can be provided to retain the panels within the frame.When panels 2 have been folded into frame 1, side panels 7 are thenfolded to frame 1 to be locked in position (by means not shown) as shownin FIG. 3 and the collapsed assembly then occupies only a fraction ofthe space required when the hood is fully assembled.

It will be noted that in the example of the present invention shown inthe figures de-entrainment pads 5 are easily replaced by releasingsealing panel 9 to separate panels 2 and provide access to thede-entrainment panels which can then be easily removed and replaced withclean pads.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an example of a hood assembly in accordance withthe present invention having one deentrainment panel 22.

A frame 21 is provided having an outlet 23. to be connected tocooperative gas receiving duct means (not shown). In the example of thefigures, frame 21 of the hood assembly is disposed above the cookingsurface 26 of a grill by means of side panels 27 and a back panel 2711,connected to frame 21 by means of hinges 28. As shown, each panel 27-27aincludes cooperative recessed 4 ridge means 24 to engage a side 25a ofgrill 25 adjacent surface 26.

Apertured panel 22 is connected to frame 21 by means of hinges 26' alongthe upper edge of the panel and extends substantially the length offrame 21 between extended side panels 27 and back panel 27a to define agas receiving chamber. Side panels 27 are adapted to abut the edges ofpanel 22 to prevent gas flow around panel 22.

Panel 22 is, advantageously, disposed at an angle relative to frame 21by means of a sealing panel 29 connected to back panel 27a as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 by hinges 30 and to panel 22 by fasteners 31 which arereceived by cooperative lock receiving means (not shown) in panel 22.Panel 22 includes apertures 34 to admit air flow to the hood assemblyand liquid de-entrainment pads 35 are provided to cover the aperturesfor removal of liquid droplets carried by the air stream. Pads 35 can,for example, be of glass fiber, wire mesh, or other suitable gaspermeable construction depending on the application.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the hood can be folded by releasing locks 31 sosealing panels 29 can be folded to frame 27a and panel 22 can be foldedinto frame 21. Back panel 27a and side panels 27 are then folded toframe 21 to form a compact lightweight hood assembly and to provide anopen area over grill 25.

It will be noted that the de-entrainment pads can be easily removed forcleaning or replacement by releasing locks 31 so panel 21 is releasedfrom panel 27a to provide access to de-entrainment pads 25.

The invention claimed is: i

1. A hood assembly having a multiplicity of folding panel memberscapable of defining a gas receiving plenum when in extended positioncomprising: a rectilinear flowthrough support frame having first andsecond pairs of opposed sides; first and second pairs of opposed panelmembers coextensive respectively with said first and second pair ofopposed sides, each panel member of each pair being hingedly connectedalong one edge thereof to an adjacent side of said support frame wherebysaid second pair of panel members can be extended outwardly from saidsupport frame at an angle to the face of said support frame and saidfirst pair of panel members can be extended outwardly from said supportframe between said second pair of opposed panel members with the sideedges thereof engaging against the opposed faces of said second pair ofpanel members to define a gas receiving plenum therewith; at least oneof said panels of said first pair being at an acute angle to the face ofsaid support frame when in extended position; seal panel meanscoextensive with and hingedly connected along an extended edge of one ofsaid first pair of panel members to connectingly engage with theadjacent extended edge of the other of said first panel members tosupport said panel members in preselected gas receiving position with atleast one of said panel members being at said acute angle to the face ofsadi support frame; aperture means in at least one of said first panelmembers, the remainder of said panel members being gas impervious; and ade-entrainment pad means covering said aperture means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, both of said panel members of said firstpair being at acute angles to the face of said support frame when inextended position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, one of said first pair of panels being atan acute angle to the face of said support frame and having saidaperture disposed therein, said aperture being covered by saidde-entrainment pad; the other of said panels of said first pair beingsubstantially normal to the face of said support frame when in extendedposition, and being of gas impervious material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,127 10/1891 Hanson 55-4221,015,430 1/1912 Farmer 3l2258 (Other references on following page)Gray. OTHER REFERENCES iii; 312*258 Grease Fillers-Research ProductsCorporation of Humbert Madrson, Wrs, pp 1 4 dated Sept 4 1965 et 5 FRANKW. LUTTER, Primary Examiner Zuch 312-258 Stalken B. NOZICK, AssrstantExamlner Erickson 55-482 CamiIf 55419 US. Cl. X.R.

Holm 98-115 10 55-493, 504, 511; 98-115; 312-258 Walker 119-19

